1,2,3-triazole in heterocyclic compounds, endowed with biological activity, through 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions can be considered a powerful synthetic tool in the building of heterocyclic rings, with applications in different fields. In this review we focus on the synthesis of biologically active compounds possessing the 1,2,3-triazole core through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. The 1,2,3-triazole skeleton can be present as a single disubstituted ring, as a linker between two molecules, or embedded in a polyheterocycle. The cycloaddition reactions are usually catalysed by copper or ruthenium. Domino reactions can be achieved through dipolarophile anion formation, generally followed by cyclisation. The variety of attainable heterocyclic structures gives an illustration of the importance of the 1,2,3-triazole core in medicinal chemistry. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.